Light Fixture Layout Collections

[Platonic Solid]

Looks great Kevin! Thank you very much for posting "after" pics. I wish more would do that. Great deal on the bulbs too.

I've just been too busy to devote time to this never ending project. I have lots of deferred projects to do before winter sets in.

Cheers

 

[bullnerd]

Looks great.

I like the shop and love the Camaro!

 

[lovemachine35]

27' x 36' x 8'10" 3-Car Garage

Hey, Platonic Solid. Wow, you're amazing doing all that work for everyone.

This is my residential garage. The slab is poured and framing starts Wednesday. I'm starting to look at all my electrical and I just joined this forum and wow, there's lots of great info. Here's my garage below. I do not want to use fluorescent lighting for medical reasons. I want to use LEDs. The Lithonia LBL4 4-Foot LED wraparound looks intriguing. I'd like to figure how many to get and placement. I'll consider other options too. Can you hook me up?

View media item 64762

 

[lovemachine35]

Ok. I started playing around with the following online software: http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/

This is what I came up with for the Lithonia LBL4. It didn't allow me to put in area for stairs or work bench. What do you guys think? Is an average illumination of 74fc ok?

View media item 64786

 

[PensacolaPI]

First time caller here and really glad to have found this forum and thread. We are building a new house with 2 garages and the architects rendering is attached and looking for some general input. The ceiling height in the garages is 9'. Garage 1 will be used for parking only for the most part. Perhaps our tread mill will be put in there. Garage 2 on the other hand will be used for parking my Tundra and I will also have: Workbench across the front of the garage and I will add in task lighting as needed. There will be several storage cabinets down the sides and lawn equipment will also be stored in there.

I am thinking of using 4' flush mounted shop lights in both garages and running those across the front and down the sides with a couple more mounted just in front of where the garage door is in the up position.

Not doing any auto repair, just a general residential garage but I do want good lighting. As noted, garage 2 is where I'll do any tinkering that I plan to do and quite possibly detail our vehicles in there as well but that's pretty much it. The entire inside of the house and patio lighting will be all LED lights. For the amount of time that we'd be using the garage lighting I am not so sure it is worth the added cost of the LED lighting.

Any suggestions on fixtures and bulbs are absolutely welcome and needed and thanks in advance for the thoughts!

 

[Tscott]

If possible I'd like to know the optimal lighting layout for my 36x60 shop. Its a steal building with 20' bays, a 14' eave and a 2:12 pitch. It's a workshop where I do pretty much every kind of work you typically see in a workshop. I've already got lighting but I am about to redo all of it to better illuminate the space.

Tom

 

[D45]

My local Costco and Sams club stopped selling the $25-$30 LED shop lights

They are now $35 at Sams and $49 at Costco

I decided to try out these from Menards, even though they have less lumen (3300)

I bought 9 today and need 3 more

I am VERY PLEASED with the total cost and how bright it is, SO MUCH BETTER

They were on sale for around $21.50 each!

I kept the three tube bulb fixtures over the work bench area, until they **** out

The old nasty, heavy, and LOUD fixtures:

 

[cmdrtaco]

Platonic,

I just spent the last hour drinking a beer & surfing the 17 pages of this thread. To say I am impressed is putting it lightly. However, I am in the early stages of designing a 24x40 garage with a 2nd floor workshop and a Gambrel roof line. Since the trusses will most likely be the "scissored gambrel" trusses from Barnplans, the workshop will have a goofy ceiling. I haven't seen anything along those lines in this thread. Would love to have your input (once you work your way through the stack of requests you must have).

 

[roadrunner255]

Hangers

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[KMdef9]

Hi guys, finally got around to getting some lights for the home garage, to replace the single bulb that's currently lighting it.

Like many others, I picked up these:
http://www.costco.com/4’-Linkable-L...=10701&keyword=689518&langId=-1&storeId=10301

I bought six of them (all the budget allowed ATM). And will be mounting them directly to the drywall ceiling, NOT hanging them.

My ceiling is 9'4" to the car floor. There's a three foot wide step around the top and right side of the garage that's only 3" tall.

Not sure what software you guys are using, but used this free one to make this floor plan up:


Because of the garage door and it's parts, I think the layout should follow this suggestion:


However, my garage is smaller than the suggested and I only have 6 lights currently. Might get 3 more if I can figure out a good way to do it. With the door opener in the center of the room (north to south) I can't have a fixture horizontally (east to west) in the center of the garage on the 9 light layout suggestion.

I'm debating whether to center the lighting over the whole garage or just the parking area. Obviously, the parking area = working area. So is it smarter to base the lighting on the work area? How do I factor in the light off the wall of the left side versus the lack of light off the wall on the right side? What's a good 6 light layout? What's a good 9 light layout?

I mainly wash/clean the vehicles in there, and do light to moderate work on them (change tires/oil, brakes, suspension). And some house hold projects too.

Any suggestions?

 

[penright]

I kind of went through this thread a little bit. Most looks like here is my shop what layout should I use. I would like to think through where to put my light and outlets.

Is there a discussion on theory?

 

[sneasle]

Hi all, I know this thread has slowed down quite a bit but I'm hoping someone here can share some knowledge.

My garage is a tight two car, about 21ft x 21ft. That just a bit smaller than what is shown in post #15 so I was wondering if ya'll felt that lighting layout was still reasonable, or if I should drop the fixture count some.

While I'm not really looking forward to installing 9+ fixtures, a cross between options 2 & 3 where I have extra fixtures over the workbench seems reasonable.

I've attached a rough sketch, and my ceilings are 10.5ft (white popcorn) with dark wood panel walls on 3 sides and brick on the 4th. I intend to paint the paneling in the next 2 months, so that should help brighten the space, but my current single 2bulb t8 just isn't cutting it .

 

[Sigo]

Re: gtae07 Suggested Fixture Layout 28' x 24' x 8'

Since this is a good representation of a typical household garage, here are 4 layouts including my recommendation and gtae07's plan.

(Click Images for larger view)





​

I purchased 15 led-ready 4 ft fixtures and 30 LED tubes (4 ft. 18 watt, 4000k ) as recommended in the "Best light ever" thread. I'm getting ready to wire up my lights and would like to use the layout as pictured in the top left. I've got a 24 deep by 32 wide pole building with a white metal ceiling at 10 ft. high. With my interior walls framed, it's about 23 x 31. I will eventually have standard cabinets along the right (24 ft) wall. If this isn't enough storage, I'll build enclosed shelving along the back wall (32 ft.) My question is about spacing the lights.

Given my scenario, can someone recommend the correct spacing for the lights considering the cabinets, etc?

 

[poppinjohnnies]

Ok, I just wrote the 1st check for my new shop today (well, I poured the slab over a year ago, so I guess it is the 2nd check). Anyway, this will be a 32 x 40 x 14 steel framed building, 3-12 pitch, with (2) 10 x 12 white painted garage doors on one 40' side, along with a walk thru door and 3x3 window. I plan to add a 10' wide loft on one end wall that runs the width of the building (left side in picture). I am also planning to install a 2 post lift later.
I'm planning to line the lower walls with white or light grey painted osb. The ceiling will be the white insulation wrap. I saw a post on this thread featuring a similar building with a 12' side wall, and I wondered how that same layout would work for my 14' side wall building. Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[poppinjohnnies]

I forgot to mention above that I have several of these 3 bulb fixtures that were removed from a commercial building, along with a couple of 2 bulb fixtures. I'd like to incorporate as many of these as possible in order to save $, but I want to have a well lit shop.

 

[oldtinsmith]

Hi GJ friends! The last time I was here, was 9-30-2013. I posted some pictures of my shop lighting (I'll repost below). I'll also post a sketch of my ceiling light layout with interior dimensions.
The numbers next to each light socket is there to indicate witch switch it is on. The circled numbers indicate where each of the four works areas are. Circled number 1 is were my tools/hand machines/saws/etc. are located (ceiling height is 10'-2") Circled number 2 is where my future hoist auto hoist will be (ceiling height is 12'-2" in the indicated area). Circled number 3 is mostly storage area (ceiling height is 10'-2"0). Circled area number 4 is a lounge area (magazine storage shelves/microwave/refrigerator/desk and an 8'-2" ceiling). ... It was suggested that I use screw in plug adapters and install 4' and/or 8' tube lighting (getting rid of the CFL's). ... What would be the best lighting layout to use with my existing in ceiling light sockets and the switches? I'm also wondering if I could hang the light fixture at 9' height to be able to run my heat ducts above them? ... Here are pictures as it is now (PLEASE excuse the mess!!!).



Thanks! Doug

 

[Obi-Wan]

Anyway, this will be a 32 x 40 x 14 steel framed building, 3-12 pitch, with (2) 10 x 12 white painted garage doors on one 40' side, along with a walk thru door and 3x3 window. I plan to add a 10' wide loft on one end wall that runs the width of the building (left side in picture). I am also planning to install a 2 post lift later.
I'm planning to line the lower walls with white or light grey painted osb. The ceiling will be the white insulation wrap. I saw a post on this thread featuring a similar building with a 12' side wall, and I wondered how that same layout would work for my 14' side wall building. Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

I hope I'm not too late to help you. I just noticed your post.

I'm in the final stages of building my new workshop/barn. The workshop portion is 30x40x14'. I used the Visual 3D online tool:
http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/
to layout my lights. I used the Lights of America 8140SE2-WH5-29 LED shop lights from Sam's Club. Visual 3D didn't have these lights, but the Lithona LBL4 40L EZ1 LP850 seems to have similar specs, so I did my planning using that lamp. My goal was to get close to 100 foot-candles, 3 feet off the ground.

My lighting layout allowed for 40 of these fixtures (8 rows of 5), basically one for each 5x5' area of ceiling. (Due to a stairway cut-out, I only ended up with 35 of them in the shop.) Visual 3D estimated that I'd have about 90 f-c of light with that setup. After install, with bare OSB walls, my phone's light meter app says I'm getting 117 f-c in the middle of the shop with all lights on. With only the four "convenience" lights on, I'm getting about 17 f-c. The entire room pulls about 13A. At our current rate, it costs about 12 cents per hour to light the workshop.

Because my shop will be used for automechanics, woodworking, and perhaps parties, the light layout really isn't task-oriented, except that I was careful to make a layout that would still throw light around & between the 10x12' garage doors when they're open. The lights hang within 2' of every wall. With all lights on & the garage doors closed, the lighting is very uniform. With that many fixtures, there are no discernible shadows. I may still put some under-cabinet strip lights by my workbench if it ends up being necessary, but I kind of doubt it will be.

The ceiling will remain bare, kraft-faced insulation. I had originally planned to paint the walls white, but even that may not be necessary. It's not like I'll ever be able to see the bottom half of the walls once I move all my junk in there, anyway. I suppose painting the top 6-8' might help, though.

I absolutely love the light out there, and every visitor is also amazed. I'd definitely recommend my setup to a similar shop like yours.

 

[cory58]

Been following this thread since starting my garage a year ago. Awesome! Almost ready for lighting, finally. My garage is a 30x30 metal building with white insulated walls and ceiling. The walls are 13' and the roof has a 4/12 slope. The 2 garage doors are 12x12, centered on one end.

I'm planning three rows of lights running front to back. The 2 outer rows will be the 2-tube T8 LEDs recommended here. The middle row will be high bays, and will be centered in the garage.

One simple question for the collective wisdom of GJ - how far off the side walls should the 2 outer rows be? There will be cabinets and equipment (compressor, parts washer, drill press, etc.) along the walls. I've seen lighting plans here that show the outer light rows placed from 2' to 5' off the walls. I don't want the cabinets on the walls or cars in the bays to block any of the light, so it seems that 3-4' off the walls would be the right distance. All feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks, Cory

 

[Obi-Wan]

how far off the side walls should the 2 outer rows be?

Two 12'-wide doors in a 30'-wide space will leave you 2' between doors and 2' outboard of each door (assuming overhead garage doors, not sliders). When the doors are open, any lights that are more than 2' from the wall will be blocked by the open door. That's especially true if you're cramming a 12'-tall door under a ceiling that's only 13' high.

Counters & workbenches up against a wall are generally only 24" deep. Upper cabinets are only 12" deep. If you want to stand at such a workbench and not create shadows for yourself, then you should mount the lights 24" off the wall. The center row of lights will handle illumination inside the cabinets when you need to get something.

Having your lighting running parallel to your workbench & cabinets will certainly create sharper shadows than you'd get if you had a series of 48" fixtures oriented perpendicular to the walls (like ladder rungs instead of a single rail), but you may have other reasons for orienting the rows the way you are.

But to answer your original question, my recommendation is 18-24" from the side wall.

 

[cory58]

Two 12'-wide doors in a 30'-wide space will leave you 2' between doors and 2' outboard of each door (assuming overhead garage doors, not sliders). When the doors are open, any lights that are more than 2' from the wall will be blocked by the open door. That's especially true if you're cramming a 12'-tall door under a ceiling that's only 13' high.

Counters & workbenches up against a wall are generally only 24" deep. Upper cabinets are only 12" deep. If you want to stand at such a workbench and not create shadows for yourself, then you should mount the lights 24" off the wall. The center row of lights will handle illumination inside the cabinets when you need to get something.

Having your lighting running parallel to your workbench & cabinets will certainly create sharper shadows than you'd get if you had a series of 48" fixtures oriented perpendicular to the walls (like ladder rungs instead of a single rail), but you may have other reasons for orienting the rows the way you are.

But to answer your original question, my recommendation is 18-24" from the side wall.

Thanks for the feedback! I left out 2 pieces of info: The doors are roll up, so no clearance issues. The doors are mounted on the gable end of the building, so the 2 outer rows of light will be at approx 13' (assuming a 1' drop for mounting) and the center row will be at the top of the pitch.

I thought running the lights front to back (parallel with the cabinets) would give better light distribution (less space between each light), but I understand what you are saying about less shadows by mounting them perpendicular. Coincidentally, the structure of the building will also make it a lot easier to mount them parallel, but I can overcome that.

Thanks, Cory

 

[Edv530i]

These fixtures worked great in my shop. They are econolight LED canopy lights. Well made because they can be used outside. Cast aluminum body. I'm an electrical contractor and have used these on jobs too because they give good light for the money. I haven't placed them task specific because things tend to move as I change projects areound. They are only 36 watts each so I light my whole shop (40x80) with 432 watts. In my work bay with my 2 post lift I have LED strip fixtures from Home Depot for my task lighting mounted on the wall so light goes under the car when on the lift.

Sorry...can't seem to post pictures...econolight #E-CC5L03NW. If you go on their website you can get on their mailing list and they have 10-15 or 20% off at different times. I got all 12 of mine for like $860 bucks with free shipping. Pretty cheap to light a shop this size.

 

[gogolf0401]

These fixtures worked great in my shop. They are econolight LED canopy lights. Well made because they can be used outside. Cast aluminum body. I'm an electrical contractor and have used these on jobs too because they give good light for the money. I haven't placed them task specific because things tend to move as I change projects areound. They are only 36 watts each so I light my whole shop (40x80) with 432 watts. In my work bay with my 2 post lift I have LED strip fixtures from Home Depot for my task lighting mounted on the wall so light goes under the car when on the lift.

Sorry...can't seem to post pictures...econolight #E-CC5L03NW. If you go on their website you can get on their mailing list and they have 10-15 or 20% off at different times. I got all 12 of mine for like $860 bucks with free shipping. Pretty cheap to light a shop this size.

What is your layout, or at least spacing and orientation of the lights?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[JerrodGlover]

I have purchased and installed 20 of the recommended Diva light fixtures and bulbs. This lights my 32x40 very nicely with no shadows. The fixtures are cheap and you get what your paying for. They flex and are very thin but I don't see this as a problem as all they do is hold the bulbs.

 

[nsula_country]

These fixtures worked great in my shop. They are econolight LED canopy lights. Well made because they can be used outside. Cast aluminum body. I'm an electrical contractor and have used these on jobs too because they give good light for the money. I haven't placed them task specific because things tend to move as I change projects areound. They are only 36 watts each so I light my whole shop (40x80) with 432 watts. In my work bay with my 2 post lift I have LED strip fixtures from Home Depot for my task lighting mounted on the wall so light goes under the car when on the lift.

Sorry...can't seem to post pictures...econolight #E-CC5L03NW. If you go on their website you can get on their mailing list and they have 10-15 or 20% off at different times. I got all 12 of mine for like $860 bucks with free shipping. Pretty cheap to light a shop this size.

You are lighting 3200 sq/ft with 12 fixtures "rated" at 3600 lumens each for a total of 43,200 raw lumens?

I have about 307,200 raw lumens in a 40x60 mounted 16 ft high (outside rows) and 17 ft high (inside rows). I feel that I could still use task lighting at times! (24, T8 high bay, MIRO4 reflector, 1.15 ballast, 850XL bulbs).

We need pics of the canopy lights. The average 2-4 island gas canopy has 12 lights. I am still looking for a solution under my 30x60 lean.

CT

 

[MTRCTY50]

I've read thru this entire post and found that post 40-42 is close to my building. I have a 40x60 steel insulated building with 12 foot walls and a 4/12 pitch. I am looking at 24 8ft Tandem Lithonia Lighting #TUNS 2 32 MVOLT 1/4 GEBHL from Home Depot or Metalux #8TSSF232HL, or 8TSNF-232-UNV-EB81-U from Lowes. The building is open with 2 10x10 Commercial doors with a row of glass each and 2 walk in doors. A 4 post lift will be installed in the future. Can you let me know if I am on the right track and will have enough light to work on vehicles comfortably.

R/
J

 

[machwon169]

Any info on a 50x50 with 14 foot Ceilings...pole barn style . 4 bay doors across one side... two lifts one 2 post one 4 post towards back of middle bays. Work benchs along back walls. Used for automotive restoration and repairs

 

[nsula_country]

I've read thru this entire post and found that post 40-42 is close to my building. I have a 40x60 steel insulated building with 12 foot walls and a 4/12 pitch. I am looking at 24 8ft Tandem Lithonia Lighting #TUNS 2 32 MVOLT 1/4 GEBHL from Home Depot or Metalux #8TSSF232HL, or 8TSNF-232-UNV-EB81-U from Lowes. The building is open with 2 10x10 Commercial doors with a row of glass each and 2 walk in doors. A 4 post lift will be installed in the future. Can you let me know if I am on the right track and will have enough light to work on vehicles comfortably.

R/
J

24 fixtures for that sq/ft is a good layout!

CT

 

[nsula_country]

Any info on a 50x50 with 14 foot Ceilings...pole barn style . 4 bay doors across one side... two lifts one 2 post one 4 post towards back of middle bays. Work benchs along back walls. Used for automotive restoration and repairs

With 14 ft height, I would look at fixtures with reflectors.

CT

 

[AMarkham]

Lighting question on a 20X30 3 car garage with 9 ft ceilings. Would I be better off spacing the lights like the example Platonic Solid posted a couple years ago or would I be better chaining the lights together & leaving no gaps?

My Layout:


Platonic Solid Layout:

 

[cybrdyke]

These fixtures worked great in my shop. They are econolight LED canopy lights.

Sorry...can't seem to post pictures...econolight #E-CC5L03NW.

A quick point by point shows that this yields an average of 9.7 foot candles.
YMMV
CD

 

[64 Thunderbolt]

Platonic solid.

I have a 20x28 attached garage with a 10 feet ceiling that is all painted a tan inside. One wall is a little less in length because of a laundry room. What all info can I give you to get a recomendation on what lighting I need to install?

 

[cybrdyke]

Platonic solid.

He's not here anymore.

 

[Low50s]

I hope I'm not too late to help you. I just noticed your post.

I'm in the final stages of building my new workshop/barn. The workshop portion is 30x40x14'. I used the Visual 3D online tool:
http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/
to layout my lights. I used the Lights of America 8140SE2-WH5-29 LED shop lights from Sam's Club. Visual 3D didn't have these lights, but the Lithona LBL4 40L EZ1 LP850 seems to have similar specs, so I did my planning using that lamp. My goal was to get close to 100 foot-candles, 3 feet off the ground.

My lighting layout allowed for 40 of these fixtures (8 rows of 5), basically one for each 5x5' area of ceiling. (Due to a stairway cut-out, I only ended up with 35 of them in the shop.) Visual 3D estimated that I'd have about 90 f-c of light with that setup. After install, with bare OSB walls, my phone's light meter app says I'm getting 117 f-c in the middle of the shop with all lights on. With only the four "convenience" lights on, I'm getting about 17 f-c. The entire room pulls about 13A. At our current rate, it costs about 12 cents per hour to light the workshop.

Because my shop will be used for automechanics, woodworking, and perhaps parties, the light layout really isn't task-oriented, except that I was careful to make a layout that would still throw light around & between the 10x12' garage doors when they're open. The lights hang within 2' of every wall. With all lights on & the garage doors closed, the lighting is very uniform. With that many fixtures, there are no discernible shadows. I may still put some under-cabinet strip lights by my workbench if it ends up being necessary, but I kind of doubt it will be.

The ceiling will remain bare, kraft-faced insulation. I had originally planned to paint the walls white, but even that may not be necessary. It's not like I'll ever be able to see the bottom half of the walls once I move all my junk in there, anyway. I suppose painting the top 6-8' might help, though.

I absolutely love the light out there, and every visitor is also amazed. I'd definitely recommend my setup to a similar shop like yours.

trying to plan lighting layout for my 30x40x14 also you have that thing lit up I just dont know if a budget could handle 40 of those things it looks great on yours !!

 

[cybrdyke]

He's not here anymore.

I take that back. I saw a post by him yesterday.
CD

 

[nsula_country]

He posted here. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364732

CT

 

[Platonic Solid]

Re: INTMD8 35 x 46 x 15' peak 4.8:12 pitch

The main lights are up, thank you again!!! Looks great.

Had to change the layout for the lower ceiling section as the garage door and attic stairs were in the way. Put up 8 4ft led's but they aren't wired in yet.

INTMD8 - Could you please find another host and update the links so the pictures can be seen. Or email me the pictures and I'll host them.

Thx

 

[aalleexx]

Help! Needing advice for a 30/40/12 metal Mueller building with a 4/12 pitch roof. I will have white-faced insulation in walls and ceiling and am interested in LED lighting for it. I want to be able to split the lights into circuits allowing me to turn on only as many as needed, with the ability to get over 100+ f/c with them all on. (I am not wealthy also) Shop will be used for various activities and projects. Curious about some high bay with diffusers vs. low bay lights. Open to ideas and suggestions and all appreciated. I've tried to use a couple of the light layout links suggested by some in this thread but am not getting the hang of them. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Platonic Solid]

aalleexx, are you willing to spend between $2,000 and $3,000 for lighting?

 

[aalleexx]

Ouch! Was hoping for about half that.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Is 12ft wall height? Thus peak = 17ft?